Spanish newspaper Marca earlier this week linked the 28-year-old playmaker with a return to Bernabeu - and he has done little to play down the speculation.

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Mesut Ozil refuses to rule out Real Madrid return

The former Schalke and Werder Bremen star insists he's happy at the north London club but refused to rule out a return to La Liga giants.

When asked about a potential return to Real Madrid, he told Marca: "You never know.

"I am happy playing for such a big club like Arsenal, which has amazing fans and they encourage me a lot. I am playing very well in London, but in football you never know. We'll see what happens in the future."

Ozil is a key player at the Emirates and would be a huge loss for Arsene Wenger.

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Mesut Ozil spent three seasons at Real Madrid before joining Arsenal in 2013

This season he has directy contributed to 10 goals - scoring seven - as he's played in his favoured No.10 role.

Wenger is desperate to tie him down to a new deal but as the months drag it looks less and less likely.

Hector Bellerin recently signed a new contract committing himself but Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are still in talks.

Arsenal's form has wobbled again in November as they took five points from a possible nine in the league, were knocked out of the EFL Cup and surrendered top spot in their Champions League group.

They are however still firmly in the title race and are just three points below leaders Chelsea.